Adrian Smith and Richie Kotzen – ‘Smith / Kotzen’: A legendary album

Of course, we're talking about the album ‘Smith / Kotzen’, a musical collaboration between the legends Adrian Smith and Richie Kotzen. Of course, the first signs had been there for a while, with the announcement of the singles 'Scars’ and 'Solar Fire’. But now zero hour has arrived! It's time for the real thing! Are you ready?

When guitar legends join forces

Starting our musical journey, it's hard not to keep thinking that what we're holding in our hands is the result of a tremendous collaboration. Two legendary musicians and guitar virtuosos crafted this set of nine tracks. To me, it's like watching a planetary alignment unfold before my very eyes! An event nobody should miss out on — everyone needs to see it and hear it.

The Adrian Smith known for his work with Iron Maiden. The Richie Kotzen on the other hand, known for numerous projects, with Winery Dogs (the super trio with Billy Sheehan and Mike Portnoy). But both artists are taking on something entirely new. A venture that is by no means just a showcase of guitar technique.

A simple title

The album is characterised by simplicity and substance. Nothing is superfluous. Nothing sounds excessive or contrived. Not even the title. The two guitarists simply chose a combination of their surnames. 'Smith / Kotzen'. That's it… Take it or leave it!

Having no prior experience of the combination of the two artists (aside from the two singles), we didn't know what to expect. And they themselves, as consummate and highly experienced musicians, gave us not a single clue. Not even an artwork to give us an idea. Just an emblem… It's reminiscent of an old 90s Hard Rock band!

On the music

So, with no further clues, we dive into the sea of music. 'Smith / Kotzen' is an album that will surprise you! Don't expect to hear either the power metal parts reminiscent of Iron Maiden, or the progressive rock elements from Winery Dogs. The texture of the album is clearly more classic, and Adrian Smith and Richie Kotzen are here to offer you a journey down the paths of a more traditional sound.

Rhythm Section

We start, as always, with the rhythmic parts. On drums, we should single out a few tracks. Kotzen's friend and collaborator, Tal Bergman, takes part in "You Don't Know Me“, “I Wanna Stay” and “Til Tomorrow ”. Instead, the man himself Richie takes the drumsticks on the remaining five songs. The tracks generally move in straight timestamps, at a medium tempo. The bass, for its part, has a fairly supportive role. It underpins the rhythmic section of the songs quite a bit, playing its part in the musical background.

Guitars and Vocals

On the guitars we have a lot to talk about. After all, both musicians are excellent guitarists. On the album's songs, there's absolute balance. Each of the Adrian Smith and Richie Kotzen have lead and rhythm parts divided between them. The tones from the two guitars are near-identical, though that doesn't mean we can't pick out each one's personal style. Specifically, both musicians have very distinctive elements in their technique, which they offer up generously.

As for the general tone of the sounds, both artists have chosen tones that lean heavily towards a classic rock era. 'Clean' distortion, with mid frequencies pushed to the front. But don't think the tracks are just a constant back-and-forth between the two musicians. At strategically chosen points, the two guitars 'entangle' in a musical dialogue, trading notes and melodies. And since we're talking about guitar virtuosos, 'Smith / Kotzen' doesn't skimp on epic solos, packed with killer riffs and a touch of delay.

Exactly what happens with the guitars also happens with the vocals. The two guitarists choose to share the vocal parts as well. And here too, their voices have their own distinct tonal colours. What's impressive is how they combine with each other. Smith's voice Smith is quite earthy and classic. Kotzen's voice Kotzen is much more distinctive, with a characteristic punch in the high frequencies.

On Subject Matter

Subject-matter-wise, the album is a bit neutral. Its vibe is fairly upbeat, with a leaning towards betterment. An attempt to resist hardships and push forward. Beyond that, I think the deeper meanings come through when the two guitarists dive into back-to-back solos.

Editor's Choice: 'Solar Fire'

Perhaps one of the most dynamic tracks on the album. The 'Solar Fire' has an excellent, fast rhythm, whose whole purpose is to get you moving! The song is a great example of just how wonderfully the two musicians' vocals work together. Here especially, the sounds seem to be a touch heavier and more distorted. By the time it's over, the main riff of the track will inevitably stick in your head. But that's not necessarily a bad thing… Just press repeat!

'It's like I'm in a dream
Burning oil and gasoline
Nobody gonna mess with me'

In conclusion

'Smith / Kotzen' is a guitarist's record. But that doesn't mean it's aimed only at guitarists or musicians. It's aimed at every listener who wants to take a pure rock journey. In the end, that's exactly what Adrian Smith and Richie Kotzen give us. A wonderful collaboration, the result of which is these nine musical gems. Beyond the two musicians' inexhaustible technique, we should also highlight the contribution of Kevin "Caveman" Shirley, who handled the album's production.

The album is a wonderful opportunity to get to know two already legendary names of the rock scene in a completely different endeavour. There will surely be some who criticise the effort, mainly because the two guitarists are inextricably linked to their bands. Allow me to disagree. I can't help but wonder, though, whether this is ultimately the style Smith and Kotzen actually enjoy playing. Either way, it's definitely a very interesting outfit, and we're looking forward to their next work with great anticipation. The Hound approves!